Quechua Language
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Quechua Language: Documenting Contemporary Revival and Maintenance Strategies Gabina Funegra A thesis in fulfilment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Humanities and Languages Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences August 2016 COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ‘I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date ……………………………………………........................... AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT ‘I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.’ Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date ……………………………………………........................... ORIGINALITY STATEMENT ‘I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.’ Signed …………………………………………….............. Date …………………………………………….............. PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Funegra First name: gabina Other name/s: Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: School: Faculty: School of humanities and languages Arts and social Sciences Title: Quechua Language: Documenting Contemporary Revival and Maintenance Strategies Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) The ancient family of Quechua languages of the South American Andes is in a precarious situation, not because of numbers of speakers as such, but because of impediments to intergenerational transfer. This thesis, in two parts, is both reflexive and active. It endeavours to understand the history and context of the current ‘fading’ language, and then it studies and adopts strategies, in local and international contexts, that attempt to maintain and revitalise Quechua. As part of the research study, I visited three global locations: Cusco, Paris and New York, in order to investigate how people use a range of strategies to grow the Quechua language. The research draws on sociolinguistics, ethnographic methods and a range of other disciplines. This thesis is presented in two parts, a documentary film and a written thesis. As a Peruvian whose knowledge of her Quechua language and heritage was blocked by well-meaning parents who saw Spanish as the road to success, I embody the intergenerational problem this thesis tackles. As a documentary filmmaker, I sought to mobilise my skills in the production of a film as the creative part of this thesis. The making of the film across the three locations was intimately tied to the ongoing research in theory, method and practice. Inviting people (Quechua teachers, artists, media practitioners) to participate in the film and respond to it enabled them to become allies in the objective of this research: the promotion of Quechua as an attractive, interesting and vital language for future generations. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). …………………………………………………………… ……………………………………..……………… ……….……………………...…….… Signature Witness Signature Date The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: Abstract The ancient family of Quechua languages of the South American Andes is in a precarious situation, not because of numbers of speakers as such, but because of impediments to intergenerational transfer. This thesis, in two parts, is both reflexive and active. It endeavours to understand the history and context of the current ‘fading’ language, and then it studies and adopts strategies, in local and international contexts, that attempt to maintain and revitalise Quechua. As part of the research study, I visited three global locations: Cusco, Paris and New York, in order to investigate how people use a range of strategies to grow the Quechua language. The research draws on sociolinguistics, ethnographic methods and a range of other disciplines. This thesis is presented in two parts, a documentary film and a written thesis. As a Peruvian whose knowledge of her Quechua language and heritage was blocked by well- meaning parents who saw Spanish as the road to success, I embody the intergenerational problem this thesis tackles. As a documentary filmmaker, I sought to mobilise my skills in the production of a film as the creative part of this thesis. The making of the film across the three locations was intimately tied to the ongoing research in theory, method and practice. Inviting people (Quechua teachers, artists, media practitioners) to participate in the film and respond to it enabled them to become allies in the objective of this research: the promotion of Quechua as an attractive, interesting and vital language for future generations. 1 Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 5 Table of Figures .......................................................................................................................... 6 Publications and films ................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 9 1.1 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Rationale for the study .................................................................................................. 12 1.3 Motivation for the study ................................................................................................ 13 1.4 Research aims ................................................................................................................ 15 1.5 Organisation of the thesis .............................................................................................. 16 Chapter 2. Literature review .................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Film and media as a language revitalisation strategy .................................................... 18 2.2 The power of language .................................................................................................. 24 2.2.1 Language ideologies and language attitudes ......................................................... 24 2.2.2 Endangered and Indigenous languages .................................................................. 28 2.2.3 The impact of colonialism and postcolonialism on languages ............................... 36 2.3 Language maintenance and revitalisation of Indigenous languages ............................. 40 2.3.1 Language planning and language